Jaipur Gharana · Pandit Durgalal ji Lineage

Curriculum & certification

Our curriculum is structured across four levels of training, each building nritta (pure dance), abhinaya (expression), and taal knowledge cumulatively — with one class per week over ten months a year, though pace may vary by student. Certification is rooted entirely in the pure Pandit Durgalal ji parampara of the Jaipur Gharana.

Alongside these four levels, students progress through the ten levels of certification offered by the International Dance Council (CID — UNESCO). In addition, at the discretion of students and their parents, we offer certification in collaboration with the Samved School of Kathak and Society for Performing Arts.

The four levels

Level 1

Foundation

Levels 1–2 CID Certification

  • Understanding Teen Taal Theka and counting on hand (taali and khali)
  • Teen Taal Paltas and Tihaees (5)
  • Krishna Kavit in Teen Taal
  • Chote Tukde — Sada Tukda and Chakradhar
  • Layakari up to Chaugun
  • Knowledge of basic Kathak and rhythmic terminology
  • Theory of Kathak

The foundation builds the vocabulary: how to count a taal on the hand, how to place the feet, and how to recite what you dance.

Level 2

Junior

Levels 3–4 CID Certification

  • Understanding of the Taal system, its notations and counting
  • Knowledge of definitions of basic Kathak and rhythm terminology
  • Layakari up to Chaugun
  • Complete mastery of Teen Taal Vilumbit and Dhrut repertoire
  • Perform and sing Guru Vandana
  • Basics of Abhinaya as per Abhinaya Darpan (Samyukta and Asamyukta Hasta)
  • Theory: Elements of Indian Classical Dance, Classical and Folk dances of India, Kathak and its three Gharanas

Level 3

Senior

Levels 5–7 CID Certification

Completion of the Junior Curriculum

  • Teen Taal — Vilumbit and Dhrut Laaya
  • Jhaptaal — Vilumbit and Dhrut Laaya
  • Ganesh Vandana and Krishna Vandana
  • Gatnikas and Ghat Bhav
  • Thumri Abhinaya or Bhajan Abhinaya
  • Layakari up to Aath Guna
  • Recitation/Padhant of all compositions on Taal and Lehera
  • Complete Kathak and Hindustani Classical vocabulary with definitions
  • Introduction to Tarana (Teen Taal)
  • Angika Abhinaya and its types
  • Theory: Legacy of Pandit Durgalal ji and Gurumaa Pandita Uma Dogra ji

Level 4

Master

Levels 8–10 CID Certification

Minimum 8 years of training plus 2 years of performing experience

Completion of the Senior Curriculum

  • Proficiency in Teen Taal, Jhaptaal, Taal Dhamar (14 Matra), and Ashta Mangal Taal (11) — complete repertoire
  • Basic understanding of Hindustani Classical Music
  • 45-minute solo dance performance showcasing complete Kathak repertoire (Nritta, Natya, Nritya)